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Netflix is reportedly considering adding a streaming-only subscription plan by 2010
We know that streaming video viewership is constantly increasing. We know that Netflix has increased the options for accessing its “Watch Instantly” streaming service. And we know that the company has also increased its streaming video TV and movie choices—but only a little, and that they’re still only about a tenth of what you can get by renting actual discs.
Of course, Netflix wants to expand those options, and it wants more people to take advantage of streaming. Company CEO Reed Hastings told Bloomberg (report via Ars Technica) that streaming is a top priority for Netflix, and that we could see streaming-only subscription plans by next year or as early as the end of 2009.
“Right now, the power of the service is that hybrid message, the best of both,” Hastings said about consumers’ being able to rent DVDs and watch streaming videos through the same plan. “So we’re putting most of our wood behind that. But we recognize at some point in the long term, the streaming will be good enough that an appreciable number of people will find streaming is all they need.”
He went on to say, “We’ve got one singular objective, which is ‘Be successful in streaming.’”
Current Netflix monthly subscriptions range from $4.99 (one DVD out at a time, two DVD limit per month) to $16.99 (three DVDs at a time, unlimited exchange), and all include the “Watch Instantly” streaming service at no cost.
Hastings also noted that the company would be investing more in expanding the number of online titles (thanks, since we’ve been hearing the 12,000-plus figure for a while now it seems), and that Netflix has seen an increase of 600,000 subscribers already this year. Update: It appears Netflix is already extending its reach of convenience—Gadgetell says the New York Times and Rotten Tomatoes movie reviews include an “Add” button to get them right into your queue.
Will you bite for a streaming-only subscription?
You need at least cable internet this day and age. Don’t even try this stuff with DSL. Get 10meg or higher and this stuff works great. Netflix HD through the xbox is great quality.
We just need them to work on increased sound quality….ADD SURROUND SOUND!!!
Are you guys streaming to your computers, or to a different Netflix player? I used my laptop for a while, and found the streaming to be unbearably slow. I finally got a Roku player, and the quality is a lot better. Still not quite DVD quality, but close. Plus it’s a LOT faster.
I am in the same exact boat as Michael. I would love to be able to start downloading a movie from work so when I get home I can watch it in the best possible quality. I do not mind waiting to watch a movie, but the streaming for me is terrible, especially when I get home and there are 4 people on my network draining my bandwidth. My xbox would never turn off if they added this feature.
Arlen - That’s weird, because I pulled my info from the “Instantly to your TV” tab on the Netflix site - but I was logged into my account. When I’m logged in, all the information about streaming video mentions the $8.99 limit. However, I did a link to a current streaming-only plan, which allows you to watch “Starz Play” only - with no DVDs - for $7.99 per month. Here’s a link: http://www.netflix.com/?mqso=80022054 . Still, I think this program is a good illustration of my point - for only $1 more per month, you can watch the entire streaming library, plus get unlimited DVDs. I just don’t see many people going for that option.
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i use this to stream to both my 360’s. only downside to it all is that most of the content doesn’t support 5.1. there are a few but they aren’t what you’ll mostly watch. i have 20/5 fios(beautiful) and it’s great. but for anyone out there thinking of using the wireless adapter for the 360 with this. if your not right in front of your router or have a constatn 3-4 bars. your connection will be lost and quality wont be greatest with it. just saying.
but i’d be glad to pay for just streaming. i’ve never rented a dvd. i don’t think its cool to charge additional money to rent blu-rays. but o well. especially if they go with the streaming of the hbo plan. would be great.